Who Runs the Show? A Cross-Generational Conversation

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Public Groupactive 4 years, 5 months ago

Some say 3 others say 4, so how many generations do we have working with social media and social networks in government? Who is in charge of the "collaboration" across the generations? What do we know or think about each other?

Gen Y Differences

Gen Y Really Is DifferentSangeeth Varghese, 11.29.10, 12:05 PM ESTLeadership and managing will never be the same again....

There have always been evolutionary cultural changes between every generation and the next. Our societies and our family relationships alter, new technologies emerge, ways of communicating change, education changes and, largely, improves. In the past we could adapt to such shifts relatively easily. They were far from overwhelming. However, we now have a generation where the cumulative effect of change has reached a critical mass.

Gen Y will remake the very nature of management and leadership. To prepare for this we must recognize some of its defining attributes.

The first and most important attribute is Gen Y's level of independence, which can often look to anyone older like arrogance. This independence arises mainly from the unique character of the time Gen Y has grown up in. For example, a large portion of Gen Y came of age in double-income, single-child families, where they always knew what they wanted and how to get it. At the same time, families across the board became more egalitarian than ever before, less patriarchal and parent-dominated. In fact, they're probably more child-centered than parent-centered now.

Well, when you think of their environment they were growing up in -- maybe no one was at home -- many were probably latch-key kids and had to do things on their own as well as make decisions on their own. They developed their own leadership skills out of necessity -- maybe even taking care of siblings. They had to mature earlier and grow up faster with the added responsibilities. Each generation has had this type of situation.

Also, culture plays a very big role in their development. If their parents don't speak or know English, this can certainly make them mature faster as they become their parent's confidante, protector and/or translator. Many also come from a multicultural background and may speak more than one language.

Those families that were child-centric (hovering or helicopter parents) were dominated by their child's wants and catering to their needs. This may be due to the more sophisticated and dangerous environment kids live in -- they can't go anywhere on their own without their parents -- it's too risky and so they lean and depend on their parents.

The other issue that was going on at the time was the focus on developing high "self-esteem" -- thence the name trophy kids! Everyone gets a trophy -- no one is left out. Let's face it, each generation stems from the development of the times, the over/under parenting, the global situation shaping each generation, the values and cultural backgrounds.

There are so many variables involved and each generation goes through its own kind of evolution, beliefs, and what is important to them. Apparently, this generation values work-balance, family, conservation, etc. and it might be because they didn't have that growing up.

So in essence, having people skills and developing emotional intelligence are leadership skills necessary for the 21st century workforce. Gen Y knows what they want and they will leave, rather than put up with the status quo!